The Dark Corner Read Online Free PDF Page B

stretch his arms. “Can you loosen these cuffs?”
    Bryce nodded and picked up his knapsack. “It’s lucky you brought my supplies. I’ll be able to pick your locks.”
    â€œWhy did you leave your knapsack on the other side of the Secret Path?” Adam asked.
    â€œI have left supplies at a dozen different portals along the Secret Path,” Bryce said, taking the knifeand working on Sally’s cuffs. “I came here with another knapsack, but have since had to trade my supplies to get this disguise.”
    â€œWho traded with you?” Adam asked.
    Bryce spoke in a hushed tone. “There are many creatures in the Dark Corner who hate the Gatekeepers. They are willing to help if you give them something in return. But they’re all scared, even the best of them. They won’t risk their lives to help me escape from here.” Sally’s cuffs popped open. “That’s why I need your help.”
    â€œWas it true what you said?” Adam asked. “That we cannot return to our world until the other demons return here?”
    Bryce was grim. “That is the rule. And none of your demons will willingly return. They will stay in Spooksville as long as they can.”
    â€œBut then we’re trapped here forever,” Sally moaned.
    â€œNo,” Bryce said. “I wasn’t tricked like you were. Everyone told me to go see my counterpart, but I was suspicious. I hid out and tried to learn how things work here. I finally saw someone meet his counterpart and saw how the world changed after the illusion had served its purpose.” Bryce nodded down the street. “That poor soul is chained overthere. He has already been judged by the Gatekeepers and condemned to an eternity of rotting on a steel pole.”
    â€œDo the Gatekeepers ever let anyone go?” Watch asked.
    â€œRarely,” Bryce said. “You have to be a saint to escape their judgment.” He finished opening Watch’s cuffs and turned to Adam. “My counterpart knows I’m here. He searches for me constantly. But as long as I don’t touch him, I’m safe.”
    â€œBut if he hasn’t got you, can’t you just leave here?” Adam asked.
    Bryce shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I need my counterpart to open the Secret Path for me. That’s the way it is in the Dark Corner. There’s no easy way out. But I can’t drag my counterpart to the tomb. You saw how strong yours were. He would just overpower me, steal a lock of my hair, and escape to our world.”
    â€œWhat are they doing in our world?” Adam asked, anxious to be free of the cuffs. Already his arms were aching.
    Bryce was obviously worried. “They cause pain wherever they go. It is their nature. Tell me, did you leave anyone guarding the other side of the tombstone?”
    â€œCindy Makey is waiting for us there,” Sally said. “You know her, Bryce. She’s that homely girl who moved here a few weeks ago.”
    â€œShe’s actually very nice-looking,” Adam said.
    Bryce nodded. “I know who she is. We must assume the worst, that the demons have already got to her.” He unsnapped Adam’s cuffs.
    â€œThanks,” Adam said. “What will they do to her?”
    â€œFirst they will try to control her mind,” Bryce said. “Then they will bring her here to be judged by the Gatekeepers. They will try to bring as many as possible here. They will force them through the Secret Path. Because they’re demons they don’t have to hike all over the city to enter the Secret Path.”
    â€œWhat can we do?” Sally asked.
    â€œYou must help me catch my own counterpart,” Bryce said. “Remember, I can’t touch him. You must overpower him and drag him to the tombstone. If his hand touches the stone, that will be enough to open the portal for me. Once I’m on the other side, I’ll deal with your